1865 $3 J-444 PR(PCGS#60630)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4190

Grade

PR60

Price

12,190

Lot Description

1865 Pattern Three Dollars. Judd-444, Pollock-515. Rarity-8. Nickel. Reeded Edge. Proof-60 (PCGS). OGH. Regular dies of the issue but struck on a nickel planchet with a reeded edge.  Light gray-gold with tawny-tan streaks on the obverse and reverse. Fully struck by each die and still reflective. There is a dull scrape on Liberty's cheek and a dig in the left field before her nose, and these account for the modest grade given by PCGS years ago when certified. No others are rumored to exist and this is of course, the only example certified by either grading service. Similar 1865 $3 gold patterns exist in copper (J-442) and copper-nickel (J-443) that are struck with the regular dies of the gold piece but in these various planchet stocks. An important and rare issue that should not be overlooked.